Treadmill with lateral shift gain effect

ABSTRACT

A treadmill is provided which allows a lateral shift rack to be set over the pedestal of the main framework, and the lateral shift rack is provided with a treading mechanism. The lateral shift rack is driven to yield reciprocating lateral shift through circumferential movement of the crank linking frame when two pedals of the treading mechanism are treaded to shift vertically. When the treadmill is treaded, lateral shift will occur simultaneously. Based on the driving compensation mechanism, when the left and right pedals are treaded, the end point could be further shifted to a preset distance, so as to compensate the treading path of two pedals, and improve the operational flexibility, the fitness effect and value of the treadmill.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a treadmill, and more particularly to an innovative one which is operated with lateral shift gain effects.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

A treadmill is a commonly used fitness equipment as it is applied to improve the muscle functions of legs by treading vertically.

A variety of treadmill products have been designed and developed in the market, for instance, those allowing for treading horizontally or transversely or torsionally. Such treadmills of different structures and operating effects are options for consumers. However, these universal treadmills without any novelty make it difficult to attract the consumers, and the lack of operating flexibility is also a barrier to improve the functionality and value.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.

Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the structural design of the present invention wherein the treadmill allows a lateral shift rack to be set over the pedestal of the main framework, and the lateral shift rack is provided with a treading mechanism, the lateral shift rack is driven to yield reciprocating lateral shift through circumferential movement of the crank linking frame, when two pedals of the treading mechanism are treaded to shift vertically. In such a case, when the treadmill is treaded, lateral shift will occur simultaneously. Based on the structural design of said driving compensation mechanism, when the left and right pedals are treaded, the end point could be further shifted to a preset distance, so as to compensate the treading path of two pedals, and improve the operational flexibility, the fitness effect and value of the treadmill.

A roller assembly is set between the lateral shift rack and the pedestal of the main framework. Due to this, during lateral shift of the lateral shift rack, it is possible to realize horizontal shift through the support of said roller assembly.

The main framework is provided with a damper, which is connected with the crank linking frame via a driving member, thus offering resistance against the rotation of the crank linking frame.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention showing an actuating state of the driving compensation mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a top view corresponding to actuating state shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 5 is another front view of the present invention showing an actuating state of the driving compensation mechanism.

FIG. 6 is another top view corresponding to actuating state shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention showing the second actuating state of the driving compensation mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a detailed plain view of a roller assembly in another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein a swinging contact pin is set between the lateral shift rack and the swinging end of the swinging connecting rod.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein an expansion link is set between the lateral shift rack and the swinging end of the swinging connecting rod.

FIG. 11 is an application view showing the change of the upper/lower swinging rod assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the change of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in an operating state.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the treadmill of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the treadmill of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-6 depict preferred embodiments of a treadmill of the present invention with lateral shift gain effect, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims. Said treadmill A with lateral shift gain effect includes a main framework 10, comprising of a pedestal 11 and two floorstands 12 vertically set at interval over both sides of the pedestal 11

Two swinging connecting rods 20 are provided with a jointing portion 21 at the top and a swinging end 22 at the bottom. The jointing portion 21 is bolted onto the floorstand 12 of the main framework 10.

A lateral shift rack 30 is set transversely overhead the pedestal 11 of the main framework 10. Both ends of the lateral shift rack 30 are separately connected with the swinging ends 22 of these two swinging connecting rods 20.

A treading mechanism 40 is set onto the lateral shift rack 30. The treading mechanism 40 comprises of a base frame 41, an upper swinging rod assembly 42, a lower swinging rod assembly 43, an extension arm 45 and two pedals 44. The bottom of the base frame 41 is assembled onto the lateral shift rack 30, and the middle portions of the upper/lower swinging rod assemblies 42, 43 are bolted on top of the base frame 41. The bottom of two pedals 44 is provided with an assembly seat 441 for coupling with two ends of the upper/lower swinging rod assemblies 42, 43. The extension arm 45 is extended to either end of the upper swinging rod assembly 42 or the lower swinging rod assembly 43, and then a pivoted portion 451 is set on the end of the extension arm 45.

A crank linking frame 50 has a positioning end 51 and a moveable end 52. Of which, the positioning end 51 is bolted onto a fixed position of the main framework 10, and the moveable end 52 is connected with the pivoted portion 451 on the extension arm 45 of the treading mechanism 40.

A driving compensation mechanism 70 is assembled between the positioning end 51 and moveable end 52 of the crank linking frame 50, and has a central fixed pulley 71, a rotary rack 72, a rotary movable pulley 73, a driving member 74 and an externally biased crank lever 75. Of which, the central fixed pulley 71 is fastened onto the positioning end 51 of the crank linking frame 50. The rotary rack 72 comprises of a rotating branch part 721 and a rotating end 722, of which the rotating branch part 721 and the central fixed pulley 71 are co-axially arranged. The rotary movable pulley 73 is bolted on the rotating end 722 of the rotary rack 72, such that the rotary movable pulley 73 and the central fixed pulley 71 are co-axially arranged at interval. The driving member 74 is used to connect the rotary movable pulley 73 and the central fixed pulley 71, enabling synchronous rotary movement during circumferential displacement of the rotary movable pulley 73 along with the rotary rack 72. One end of the externally biased crank lever 75 is connected with the moveable end 52 of the crank linking frame 50, and the other end is coupled with the center of the rotary movable pulley 73.

Of which, the driving member 74 comprises of a belt 741 and two idler pulleys 742, 743. These two idler pulleys 742, 743 are assembled at interval onto the other end of the rotary rack 72, and configured triangularly with the central fixed pulley 71. Next, the first end's inward side of the belt 741 (indicated by L1 in FIG. 2) bypasses the rotary movable pulley 73, the second end's outward side of the belt 741 (indicated by L2 in FIG. 2) bypasses the central fixed pulley 71, and the second end's inward side of the belt 741 (indicated by L3 in FIG. 2) bypasses separately two idler pulleys 742, 743.

With this design, when two pedals 44 of the treading mechanism 40 are treaded to shift vertically, the lateral shift rack 30 is driven to yield reciprocating lateral shift through circumferential movement of the crank linking frame 50 (in collaboration with FIG. 12).

Of which, the top of two swinging connecting rods 20 is further extended to form an armrest 23 for support with hands by the user.

Of which, a roller assembly 60 is set between the lateral shift rack 30 and the pedestal 11 of the main framework 10. Said roller assembly 60 is also set on either of the bottom of the lateral shift rack 30 or overhead the pedestal 11 (referring to FIG. 8, the roller assembly 60 is transversely set overhead the pedestal 11 of the main framework 10 in a lateral shift state). With this design, during lateral shift of the lateral shift rack 30, it is possible to realize horizontal shift through the support of said roller assembly 60. Moreover, both ends of the lateral shift rack 30 are connected with the swinging end 22 of the swinging connecting rod 20 via a swinging contact pin 24 (marked in FIG. 9) or via an expansion link 25 shown in FIG. 10, in response to the varying height during operation of the swinging end 22 of the swinging connecting rod 20.

Of which, the main framework 10 is provided with a damper 13, which is connected with the crank linking frame 50 via a driving member 131, thus offering resistance against the rotation of the crank linking frame 50.

Of which, said upper swinging rod assembly 42 is of a single-rod or double-rod structure. Referring to FIG. 11( a), the upper swinging rod assembly 42 is of a single-rod structure. Moreover, when double-rod structure is applied, the pivotal axis can be set non-coaxially (shown by FIG. 11( c)), or co-axially (shown by FIG. 11( b)).

Of which, said lower swinging rod assembly 43 is of a single-rod or double-rod structure. Referring to FIG. 11( c), the lower swinging rod assembly 43 is of a single-rod structure. Moreover, when double-rod structure is applied, the pivotal axis can be set non-coaxially (shown by FIG. 11( a)), or co-axially (shown by FIG. 11( d)).

Based upon above-specified structure, the present invention is operated as follows:

The key aspect of said treadmill A with lateral shift gain effect lies in that, when the treadmill is treaded, lateral shift will occur simultaneously. Referring to FIG. 12, when two pedals 44 of the treading mechanism 40 are treaded to shift vertically, the lateral shift rack 30 is driven to yield reciprocating lateral shift through circumferential movement of the crank linking frame 50, increasing the operational flexibility of the treadmill.

Another preferred embodiment of the treadmill A2 with lateral shift gain effect is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, wherein the difference lies in that, it mainly comprises a main framework 10, lateral shift rack 30, treading mechanism 40 and crank linking frame 50, without two floorstands 12 on both sides of said pedestal 11 and two swinging connecting rods 20. In this preferred embodiment, the lateral shift rack 30 is under lateral shift state when the roller assembly 60 is transversely set overhead the pedestal 11 of the main framework 10. In this preferred embodiment, it also comprises a crank linking frame 50 comprising of a positioning end 51 and moveable end 52. The positioning end 51 is bolted onto a fixed position of the main framework 10, and the moveable end 52 is connected with the pivoted portion 451 on the extension arm 45 of the treading mechanism 40. When two pedals 44 of the treading mechanism 40 are treaded to shift vertically, the lateral shift rack 30 is driven to yield reciprocating lateral shift through circumferential movement of the crank linking frame 50.

Additionally, the treadmill A2 in this preferred embodiment is operated in the same with the aforementioned one.

Said driving compensation mechanism 70 of the present invention is intended to compensate more smoothly the path when the left and right pedals 44 of the treading mechanism 40 are treaded. In such a case, an elliptic cyclic path is shaped in tune with the reciprocating movement of the lateral shift rack 30 when two pedals 44 are treaded vertically. Since the crank linking frame 50 is of a single-sided linking structure connected to one end of the treading mechanism 40, these two pedals 44 are located asymmetrically in relation to the crank linking frame 50 in the treading process, leading to non-uniform driving force and possible unsmooth operation in some local sections. Such problems could be addressed through the action of said driving compensation mechanism 70.

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, the driving compensation mechanism 70 is operated in such a manner that the rotary rack 72 rotates along with the crank linking frame 50. When the rotary movable pulley 73 shifts circularly with the rotary rack 72, simultaneous rotation is driven by the driving member 74 so as to keep in tune with the externally biased crank lever 75. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4 versus 5 and 6, the rotating end 722 of the rotary rack 72 rotates to left and right sides. It is shown that, whenever the rotating end 722 of the rotary rack 72 rotates to left or right side, the externally biased crank lever 75 is leaned to the right side (or externally). With this design, when left and right pedals 44 are treaded, the right-hand end point could be further shifted to a preset distance (W1), so as to compensate the treading path of two pedals 44. 

1. A treadmill with lateral shift gain effect, comprising: a main framework, comprising of a pedestal and two floorstands vertically set at interval over both sides of the pedestal; a lateral shift rack, set transversely overhead the pedestal of the main framework in a transverse shift state; a treading mechanism, set onto the lateral shift rack; the treading mechanism comprises of a base frame, an upper swinging rod assembly, a lower swinging rod assembly, an extension arm and two pedals; the bottom of the base frame is assembled onto the lateral shift rack, and the middle portions of the upper/lower swinging rod assemblies are bolted on top of the base frame; the bottom of two pedals is provided with an assembly seat for coupling with two ends of the upper/lower swinging rod assemblies; the extension arm is extended to either end of the upper or lower swinging rod assembly, and then a pivoted portion is set on the end of the extension arm; a crank linking frame, comprising of a positioning end and a moveable end; of which the positioning end is bolted onto a fixed position of the main framework, and the moveable end is connected with the pivoted portion on the extension arm of the treading mechanism; a driving compensation mechanism, assembled between the positioning end and moveable end of the crank linking frame, comprising of a central fixed pulley, a rotary rack, a rotary movable pulley, a driving member and an externally biased crank lever; of which, the central fixed pulley is fastened onto the positioning end of the crank linking frame; the rotary rack comprises of a rotating branch part and a rotating end, of which the rotating branch part and the central fixed pulley are co-axially arranged; the rotary movable pulley is bolted on the rotating end of the rotary rack, such that the rotary movable pulley and the central fixed pulley are co-axially arranged at interval; the driving member is used to connect the rotary movable pulley and the central fixed pulley, enabling synchronous rotary movement during circumferential displacement of the rotary movable pulley along with the rotary rack; one end of the externally biased crank lever is connected with the moveable end of the crank linking frame, and the other end is coupled with the center of the rotary movable pulley; when two pedals of the treading mechanism are treaded to shift vertically, the lateral shift rack is driven to yield reciprocating lateral shift through circumferential movement of the crank linking frame.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the driving member comprises of a belt and two idler pulleys; these two idler pulleys are assembled at interval onto the other end of the rotary rack, and configured triangularly with the central fixed pulley; the first end's inward side of the belt bypasses the rotary movable pulley, the second end's outward side of the belt bypasses the central fixed pulley, and the second end's inward side of the belt bypasses separately two idler pulleys.
 3. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein a roller assembly is set between the lateral shift rack and the pedestal of the main framework; said roller assembly is also set on either of the bottom of the lateral shift rack or overhead the pedestal; during lateral shift of the lateral shift rack, it is possible to realize horizontal shift through the support of said roller assembly.
 4. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said main framework is provided with a damper, which is connected with the crank linking frame via a driving member, thus offering resistance against the rotation of the crank linking frame.
 5. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said upper swinging rod assembly is of a single-rod or double-rod structure; if the upper swinging rod assembly is of a single-rod structure, the pivotal axis can be set non-coaxially or co-axially.
 6. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said lower swinging rod assembly is of a single-rod or double-rod structure; if the lower swinging rod assembly is of a single-rod structure, the pivotal axis can be set non-coaxially or co-axially.
 7. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said treadmill further comprises two swinging connecting rods, with a jointing portion at the top and a swinging end at the bottom; the jointing portion is bolted onto the floorstand of the main framework; and both ends of the lateral shift rack are separately connected with the swinging ends of these two swinging connecting rods; the top of two swinging connecting rods is further extended to form an armrest. 